New Zealand have retained their number one world ranking despite that defeat to second-placed Ireland, but many outside observers now rate Schmidt's men top of the pile.

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen believes Ireland's victory over his side means Schmidt's men deserve to be branded the world's best Test team.

The USA head coach Gary Gold backed up that assertion after Saturday's Dublin clash, tipping Ireland as World Cup favourites.

Kilcoyne insists the ever-alert Schmidt will have no trouble ignoring such talk however.

Asked if Schmidt is the perfect man to keep Ireland grounded, Kilcoyne replied: "Absolutely, yeah; he's the man driving the system here and he's the head coach who has done some incredible things over the last few years.

"Just look back to last week alone, that (win over New Zealand) was absolutely monumental, it will go down in the history books, so that's all you can ask, to have that level of command at the top.

"Then every player pushes themselves as hard as they can in the environment, and it drives the environment, and that brings the best out in everyone, especially with that competition for places; it's great."